Chinese government has been accused of
state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign governments and companies, and responses to
such activity, including sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may negatively
affect China’s economy and Chinese securities issuers. In
addition, the current political climate has intensified concerns about trade tariffs or
trade disputes with China’s major trading partners, including a potential trade war between the U.S. and China. These consequences may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, shortages or
oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price increases or decreases of goods, inflationary pressures, and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of the
foreign export industry in China with a potentially negative impact on the
Fund’s investments. As demonstrated by Hong Kong protests in recent years over political, economic, and legal freedoms,
and the Chinese government’s response to them, considerable political uncertainty
continues to exist within Hong Kong. Due to the interconnected nature of the Hong Kong and Chinese economies, this instability in Hong Kong may cause uncertainty in the Hong Kong and Chinese markets. If China
were to exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively
affected and have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investments.
Active Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed by Matthews. There is the risk that Matthews may select securities
that underperform the relevant stock market(s), the Fund’s benchmark index or other
funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Sector Concentration Risk:
To the extent that the Fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a particular
sector, the Fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to that
sector, including the sector(s) described below. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect a single sector. By focusing its investments in a particular
sector, the Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous
sectors.
—Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk: As of December 31, 2024, 28% of the Fund’s assets were invested in the consumer
discretionary sector. The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of the overall local and international
economies, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success of companies in
the consumer discretionary sector depends heavily on disposable household income and
consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes can also affect the demand
for, and success of, consumer products and services in the marketplace.
—Information Technology
Sector Risk: As of December 31, 2024, 25% of the Fund’s assets were invested in the
information technology sector. Information technology companies may be significantly
affected by aggressive pricing as a result of intense competition and by rapid product obsolescence due to rapid development of technological innovations and frequent new product introduction. Other
factors, such as short product cycle, possible loss or impairment of intellectual
property rights, and changes in government regulations, may also adversely impact information technology companies.
Underlying ETF Risk: Because the Fund may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated ETFs, it is subject to additional risks
that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including the risks that the market price
of ETF shares held by the Fund may trade at a discount to its net asset value, an active secondary trading market may not develop or be maintained, or trading may be halted by the exchange in which an ETF trades,
which may impact the Fund’s ability to sell its shares of an ETF.
Cybersecurity Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Fund is
susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks. Cyber incidents
affecting the Fund or its service providers may cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to
trading, the inability of shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or
additional compliance costs.